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A comment on Sonos's “recycle mode” intentionally bricks devices so they can't be reused. Parent comment

Re:Sonos's “recycle mode” intentionally bricks devices so th... by ryandrake on Friday December 27, 2019 @11:04PM (#21897005)
Sonos is a particularly horrible company though, with software particularly hostile to end-users. There are many cases where they actively prevent you from using the device that you bought.

When a software update becomes available, you can no longer use the Sonos app or connect to a Sonos device, making the device essentially unusable, until you update your software.

When Sonos, for example, changes their Terms of Service to be even more draconian, you must accept the terms or the device ceases to function [1].

They require ridiculous access to personal information like location [2].

1: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=15071120

2: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=21771491

Everything this terrible company does shows that they consider themselves the true owners of the devices they manufacture even after you purchase them. I will never buy another product from them.

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Re:Sonos's “recycle mode” intentionally bricks devices so th... by secabeen on Monday January 06, 2020 @12:59PM (#21971309)
> They require ridiculous access to personal information like location [2].

I know I'm late on this, but both Android and iOS require location permission to get any access to WiFi scans or AP MAC address data. Sonos software scans to discover new devices, and that scan requires those permissions. If you can get a list of nearby APs, you can use the skyhook database to discern location. Thus, location permission is required in order to setup new devices.

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Re:Sonos's “recycle mode” intentionally bricks devices so th... by TeMPOraL on Saturday December 28, 2019 @03:39AM (#21897868)
Thanks. I've never bought anything from Sonos so far, but after everything I've read here and in this thread, I'm blacklisting the company and will advise anyone I know to do so too.
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